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EY IRĀN

EY IRĀN, EY MARZ-E POR GOHAR(O Iran, O bejeweled land), the title of an ardently patriotic hymn of praise to the land of Iran. Its lyrics were written by Ḥosayn Gol-golāb (q.v.) and were set to music by Ruḥ-Allāh Ḵāleqi (q.v.). First performed in 1944, its stirring music and emotionally charged lyrics ensured its immediate and continuing popularity. The hymn, especially its first stanza, is still recited and held in great affection by Iranians at home and abroad, almost like an unofficial national anthem.

Although composed in the dašti (q.v.) mode, usually one of the most melancholic in the Persian musical repertoire, it bears no hints of sadness or shades of gloom in either the music or the verse. There are several versions of the song with minor variations. Its origins date back to the turbulent days of World War II, when the Allied troops invaded the country in September 1941. The inspiration for the composition was apparently related to a humiliating spectacle witnessed by its two creators, when, to their great chagrin, they saw the flags of the Allies hoisted at the ʿEšratābād army barracks near Tehran.

For three decades the hymn was used to herald the start of the early morning transmission of Tehran radio’s daily broadcasts. Its popularity increased even further after the Revolution of 1978-79 when it became a favorite anthem for those opposed to the new Islamic regime’s over-reliance on religion rather than nationhood as the communal bond. It was subsequently banned by the Islamic regime (see Ḵāleqi). During the past decades the song has been sung by many famous singers, including Ḡolām-Ḥosayn Banān (q.v.), Esfandiār Qarabāḡi, Rašid Waṭandust, and Ḥosayn Saršār.

First stanza

Ey Irān, ey marz-e por gohar

Ey ḵāk-at sarčasma-ye honar

Dur az to andiša-ye badān

Pāyanda māni to jāvedān

Ey došman ar to sang-e ḵāra-ʾi man āhan-am

Jān-e man fadā-ye ḵāk-e pāk-e mihan-am

Mehr-e to čon šod piša-am

Dur az to nist andiša-am

Dar rāh-e to key arzeš-i dārad in jān-e mā

Pāyanda bād ḵāk-e Irān-e mā.

O Iran! O jewel-studded land!

Your soil, springhead of artistry sublime!

May those who harbor you ill, banished be!

May you remain everlastingly strong!

If the foe is granite hard, I am clad in iron:

Willingly I offer my life for the pure soil of my land

Ever since your love became my lodestar

From you have never strayed afar my thoughts.

To further your glory, we care naught for our lives:

Eternal be the soil of our land.

Second stanza

Sang-e kuh-at dorr o gowhar ast

Ḵāk-e dašt-at behtar az zar ast

Mehr-at az del key borun konam

Bar-gu bi mehr-e to čun konam?

Tā gardeš-e jahān o dowr-e āsemān be-pā-st

Nur-e izadi hamiša rahnemā-ye mā-st

Mehr-e to čon šod piša-am

Dur az to nist andiša-am

Dar rāh-e to key arzeš-i dārad in jān-e mā

Pāyanda bād ḵāk-e Irān-e mā.

The rocks of your mountains are pearls and rubies,

Your desert sand worthier than gold.

When could I ever dislodge you from my heart?

Tell me, what would I do bereft of your love?

As long as the spheres revolve and the heavens stand high

Divine light will always be our guide.

Ever since your love became my lodestar

From you have never strayed afar my thoughts.

To further your glory, we care naught for our lives:

Eternal be the soil of our land.

Third stanza

Irān ey ḵorram behešt-e man

Rowšan az to sarnevešt-e man

Gar ātaš bārad ba peykar-am

Joz mehr-at dar del naparvaram

Az āb o ḵāk o mehr-e to serešta šod gel-am

Mehr agar borun ravad geli šavad del-am

Mehr-e to čon šod piša-am

Dur az to nist andiša-am

Dar rāh-e to key arzeš-i dārad in jān-e mā

Pāyanda bād ḵāk-e Irān-e mā.

O Iran, O my glorious paradise,

Through you, my fate brightly shines.

Even if my body is set on fire,

Only your love will I nurture.

My earthly body was kneaded by your soil, water, and love,

Tarnished, as muddied waters, will be my heart, with your love removed.